Fiesta Americana is quite spacious for a resort this close to downtown. A big plus here is that every room has at least a partial ocean view (full-view rooms cost a bit more) -- so you really can't book a bad room. A good selection of restaurants, a decent pool with swim-up bar, and a big stretch of private beach are all positives. But the Fiesta charges for certain amenities that should be free -- namely, use of the fitness center, in-room coffee, and Wi-Fi.

The 212-room Mayan Palace is one of the nicer four-pearl options in Puerto Vallarta. Rooms are large and pleasant, the grounds are beautifully landscaped, the beach is quiet, the pools are enormous, and there are several great bars and restaurants on-site (including an adults only lounge and bar overlooking the water). Guests can walk to the nearby marina for shopping and restaurants, and the airport and downtown are quick car rides away. That said, prices are high and the overall vibe is a bit staid. This is one of the few properties in Puerto Vallarta with both sunrise and sunset views from the beach.

The 202-room Costa Sur Resort and Spa is a multi-story property that offers guests a lot of bang for their peso: a private beach, spacious suites with kitchens and ocean views, optional all-inclusive meal packages, and a fun kids' club. Located 10 minutes outside of Puerto Vallarta's main strip, this hotel is distanced from noise and pollution but still well placed for exploring with a car. Rooms could use a refresh, but there is a peaceful adults-only pool, a separate big pool for families, fitness center, and water sports all on-site.

A boutique, adults-only option in the gay Olas Altas neighborhood, the Amaca Hotel is decorated in traditional Mexican style with bright white walls, peeping palm fronds, and tile floors. The outstanding feature here is a rooftop lounge and small pool area with sweeping views of Banderas Bay below. While the 22-rooms offer hammocks, balconies, and walk-in showers, some guests complain about a lack of free Wi-Fi and the absence of bathroom doors.

Most of the 100 rooms in this mid-range oceanfront hotel are drab and dated -- with the best-looking ones being the 15 on-site timeshares located in the tall tower. Of course, only a few of those are available at any given time, so you'll likely be stuck with the standard rooms -- and the on-site sales pitches to purchase a timeshare can feel invasive. But other features, such as the beachfront location with quick walking access to downtown; the beautifully groomed gardens; the spacious pool with infinity edge and swim-up bar; and an outdoor tennis court make this a great option for the price. Be warned, though, not all rooms have balconies, and some face the noisy street at the entrance of the property.

The three Villa properties, including this one, are timeshares first and hotels second -- so be prepared for an aggressive sales pitch upon checking in. Get past the lobby and you'll find a typical upper-middle-range beach resort with multiple pools, a few dining options, tennis courts, a spa and fitness center. Be warned: Some of the rooms are outdated, and guests say the food is sub-par. But the location -- right by a bus stop that takes you downtown in minutes, and close to the airport -- is prime.

Compared to the many massive hotels at the north end of Nuevo Vallarta, the Samba Vallarta’s 183-room, four-story Spanish colonial-style building feels pleasantly small-scale -- and the pools and beach tend to be less crowded than elsewhere. The clean rooms have basic, contemporary beach decor (light woods, turquoise bed skirts and runners), and the general ambience of the property is family-friendly and relaxed. For those who want to go the all-inclusive route but don’t want a megaresort experience, this affordable mid-range property is a fine choice.

A true all-inclusive in the prestigious Marina Vallarta area, this place does kids well. With special family rooms, and tons of activities to keep the kids busy -- adults will have time to take part in their own fun, and there is lots to be had. A huge pool, a climbing wall, karaoke, volleyball, and nightly shows are just the beginning. Rooms are spacious and well decorated, and all have furnished private balconies. But beach lovers may be disappointed by the stretch of sand/sea this hotel lives on.

This 45-room budget-friendly boutique hotel comes sharply dressed with some attitude and style, but little in the way of amenities (at least compared with the larger megaresorts that permeate Puerto Vallarta's more distant zones). There's a decent rooftop restaurant with outdoor seating and city views, a nice-size rooftop pool looking out toward the ocean, and a basic-use (read: tiny) fitness center. The rooms range from small to smaller, and their views are far from inspiring -- but it's what lies outside the hotel doors that counts. The beach, the Malecon, and the area's most popular dining, nightlife, and shopping are all within a short walk.

This ruggedly charming boutique hotel offers sweeping views of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay, and the enticements of Old Town Puerto Vallarta are close at hand. Rugged is meant literally here: With two multistoried buildings climbing a steep hillside, labyrinthine stairways, and no elevators, it's a bit of work getting around -- especially if you add in the hike up from the beach. Ultimately, the place seduces with space. The 28 suites are generously scaled, with large decks, and the wonderful views place the city in the foreground against a background of sea and sky.